VINTAGE TOBACCO LEAF LAMPS

I confess.  I'm a lamp hoarder.  Especially if there's a pair.  Today I have a little show and tell for this new-to-me set of vintage Tobacco Leaf lamps that have come to live with me. 

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The Tobacco Leaf china pattern first came on my radar shortly after we were married.  My stylish sister-in-law with fabulous taste had a few pieces in her home.  I had never seen it before but thought the colors and pattern were so beautiful.  Fast forward through the years and I came to learn what a special china pattern it is...

The official description of the china pattern: This extravagant design was originally made in China, probably for export to the Portuguese and Brazilian markets. Of all the 18th century dinner patterns, this was the most highly prized. A small phoenix bird perches on the leaves of the flowering Nicotiana (Tobacco) plant. Twenty seven colors and 22k gold make up this pattern based on an original in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This pattern, one of the longest running patterns by Mottahedeh, continues its strong popularity today, showing that good design is timeless.

Sputnik Light  ||  Curtain Fabric  ||  Bamboo Console- Craigslist  ||  Buffalo Check Fabric  ||  Blue and White Lidded Box  ||  Pink Book  ||  Gold Book  ||  Black and White Striped Book  ||  Small Bust- Ross  ||  Vintage Champagne Bucket

With the popularity of the pattern, it spread to many other pieces other than just dishes.  Enter, my new pair of lamps.  They actually belonged to my husband's aunt (my Mother in law's sister) and uncle for years and years.  They lived in the Dallas area and did beautiful high end custom upholstery and draperies for fancy hotels and clients in the area.  I recently found out that they purchased this pair from a wholesale place all those years ago.  Fast forward, the sisters occasionally switch things between their houses, and the lamps showed up at my Mother in Law's house for a few years.  I wasn't sure that they were Tobacco Leaf at the time but always admired them in her home.

On a recent visit I noticed they were gone and asked her about them.  She said she took them back (a few hours away) because her niece had started an antique/vintage resale booth and they put them in the booth.  Aaaah!!  I promptly contacted our extended family and said I wanted to buy them!  Thankfully they were still there and so on their next visit my sweet inlaws carted them back to OKC again for me to pick up.

Since receiving them I did a bit a research and asked an expert who agreed that they are vintage Tobacco Leaf.  Since they're vintage there's nothing really to compare them to online, but especially with the backstory they're priceless to me and have definitely found a happy home!

Here's a look at the original china place setting.

I did some digging and found more Tobacco Leaf (or TL inspired) pieces that are a bit more on the affordable side.

This (vintage?) 4 pc. Place Setting is still pricey, but if you're in the market it's a bargain compared to buying the pieces separately.

This Set of 4 10" Tin Plates is a super affordable option to mix and match with, and bonus... they won't break!  (Missing the little Phoenix bird on top of the leaf so I'm sure it's not genuine TL, but I'm fine with that to get the look.  This set- or 2- is on my wish list!)

Small Vintage Vase

Vintage Vase

Large Plate/Bowl

I also found a similar lamp to mine and Soup Tureen which I'm sure is hard to come by (reflected by the price!).

If you're like me and have expensive taste but a small budget,  ;)  here are two great ideas to enjoy the tobacco leaf pattern in your home without the pricey tab-

Personalized Notepad

Tobacco Leaf Ginger Jar Print

So now you know one of my favorite China patterns, what's one of yours?

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